Faculty can view student accommodations via the OARS Portal by logging in with UNCG Credentials.
Testing Accommodations
Testing Information for Course Instructors
Many students with disabilities connected with OARS have accommodated testing; this means that the administration of quizzes, tests, and exams need to be modified in some way to provide students with an opportunity to test in an environment or manner that eliminates barriers related to their disabilities and their learning environments. These may include a variety of accommodations, such as those listed below:
· Extended time on timed tests, quizzes, exams, and other timed assignments
· Testing in a separate setting or distraction-reduced environment
· The use of a screen reader or other technologies for reading and writing
· The use of noise canceling headphones or ear plugs during testing
· The use of a scribe or reader during testing OARS collaborates with the University Proctoring Lab to serve many students with accommodated testing. OARS has a small number of spaces in which to provide accommodated testing and therefore must limit the number of students who schedule tests in OARS. Most OARS students needing an alternative location to take timed assessments should schedule their tests in the UPL; they have access to information regarding students who are working with OARS and their testing needs. They also provide a quiet (distraction-reduced) environment as well as access to screen readers, Zoom Text, adjustable height desks, and headphones/earplugs.
Students with accommodated testing needs are encouraged to communicate with their instructors to determine the appropriate steps needed to arrange for testing. Instructors can provide testing accommodations themselves, if possible, which eliminates the need to arrange for separate locations.
Instructors who wish to allow proctoring for any student must first register through TracCloud by completing this brief form. This allows you to indicate your instructions for the test, upload the test for use at OARS and the UPL, and to view your tests once your students complete them. Submitting this form will trigger proctoring staff to notify students regarding how to schedule their proctoring appointments. All testing appointments, regardless of location, are scheduled through the TracCloud portal.
OARS and UPL will not be able to proctor or provide accommodated testing if you have not provided your instructions, testing materials, etc.
Academic Integrity and Proctoring Supports
Students testing in OARS and the UPL are expected to adhere to the University’s Academic Integrity policy; monitoring measures are taken in each location to assist in the accommodated testing/proctoring process. Professors receive detailed reports about any observed academic dishonesty during a testing appointment. Students are allowed to complete the exam and professor follow-up with the appropriate location is strongly recommended.
Professors with questions about accommodations and testing for their students should contact OARS to discuss with a staff member. Keep in mind that providing accommodations for students with disabilities is a joint responsibility between OARS and instructors. Instructors with questions about planning proctored/accommodated testing or TracCloud should contact the UPL for assistance.
Making your Content Accessible
It’s really important that materials, resources, and other content that you share in your courses are accessible to all of your students, especially those with disabilities. Here are some resources to help ensure that all of your students will have access to your content.
ITS Learning Technology has staff and additional resources available to help with accessible course design. Feel free to request an accessibility consultation for more information.
University Event Accommodations
Event organizers should place an accessibility notice statement on all materials announcing the event. This includes electronic communications such as e-mail, as well as print materials. The text must include the name and contact information for the responsible individual, school, department, or other unit or group to contact for accommodations.
Please contact OARS at 336-334-5440 or email us at OARS@uncg.edu if you have questions or concerns.
The following is an example of a statement that can be used in announcements for your event to ensure a contact is identified for individuals seeking accommodations or access to the event. Please refer to the UNC-Greensboro policy, for further guidelines regarding event accessibility.
Publicizing Event Statement:
“Please contact (event organizer) at (phone and e-mail) at least one week prior to the event to request disability accommodations. All requests will be reviewed by event organizers and reasonable accommodations will be made. The requester will be notified of approved accommodations.”
FAQ
Faculty members are encouraged to refer students to the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services to talk with a professional staff member.
Under ADA/504 laws, students registered with OARS have provided documentation from the appropriate practitioner (i.e. physician, psychologist, etc.) that addresses the disability and current functional limitations.
Students will notify faculty of their approved accommodations with a faculty letter that is provided by an OARS counselor to the student for dissemination to their instructors.
NOTE: If a faculty member has questions about a student’s accommodations they are encouraged to contact OARS
Students come to the office in a variety of ways. They may register in the fall of their first semester or anytime during their academic career. Many students have been served as a student with a disability in high school and, as such, may have some documentation to show a disability. Under ADA/504 laws students must have current documentation that shows a disability, and it must address current functional limitations that warrant an accommodation.
A student should submit a Welcome form through the OARS Portal to begin a connection with us. After submission, the student will be contacted by the OARS Staff.
At times students may need additional time to get paper work completed or submitted. OARS will work with students for one semester while they get the appropriate documentation as long as the student shows proof of an attempt to secure this documentation. These students are not protected under the ADA; therefore, faculty members are not required to serve them.
Each semester students are required to meet with OARS. At that time the student and OARS will review the accommodations based on the syllabus for each class.
Accommodations are based on the academic needs of the student, which are outlined in the documentation provided. The documentation must list functional limitations to the need for a specific accommodation.
Professors will receive an OARS letter of accommodation from the student at the beginning of each semester informing them of the student’s disability and what accommodations have been approved for them. Faculty are encouraged to speak to the student about these accommodations and, at any time, are encouraged to speak to OARS if they believe the requested accommodations fundamentally alter what is being taught and measured in the classroom.
Students with disabilities are expected to be evaluated in the same manner as students without disabilities. OARS can provide accommodations to make exams accessible to students with disabilities. In addition students with disabilities are expected to fulfill all of the course requirements, including attendance, for a class. See Class Modification Process above for information about attendance.
Accommodations are not made retroactively. Students are encouraged to disclose their disability early in the semester so that the necessary accommodations can be implemented, and it is the student’s responsibility to do so. Thus, you are not required to accommodate previous coursework that has been submitted for evaluation.
OARS can work directly with faculty members to help determine the accommodations needed for specific courses. Accommodations are determined on an individualized basis for each student and the documentation must link the functional limitations to the need for a specific accommodation.
Contact OARS and speak with staff regarding your concerns.
Contact OARS and speak with staff regarding a student you would like to refer.
Grades should be assigned based on merit, not disability status. If the student has requested and received appropriate accommodations in the course ensuring equal access, then the student’s disability status should not have an impact on the grade they receive in class. Please note that students with disabilities who apply to UNCG are expected to meet the same admissions criteria as students without disabilities.
Students with disabilities may have different learning styles than the traditional student. Therefore, accommodations provide equal access for students with disabilities to learn in the academic environment.
Essentially we have seven general categories for disability related services. They are: Blind/Visually Impaired; Deaf/Hard of Hearing; Learning Disability/Attention Deficit Disorder; Medical Impairment; Mobility Impairment; Psychiatric Disability; or Speech Impairment.
Students are eligible for services if they have a verified disability, either permanent or temporary, which requires accommodation, and are a registered UNCG student. Students must submit written documentation of their medical or other diagnostic documentation of disability. This should be done at least six weeks in advance of registration.
Disability Services on an average accommodates over 1000 students during an academic school year. 35% of the students have some form of learning disability and/or 29% have an attention deficit disorder, hearing impairments comprise 5% of our population, while 2% are visually impaired, 4% are mobility impaired, 14% have medical impairments, and 11% other health impaired.
Keep it confidential.
Put a statement on the syllabus regarding accommodations and modifications.
Be mindful of the handouts, overheads and other teaching materials to be used in class.
Changing syllabus in mid-course is usually confusing for everyone.
Plan ahead to ensure assessments and other materials are accessible.
